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Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Accused Scientists, and Their Research

Author

Listed:
  • Rainer Widmann

    (MPI-IC)

  • Michael E. Rose

    (MPI-IC)

  • Marina Chugunova

    (MPI-IC)

Abstract

Does the scientific community sanction sexual misconduct? Using a sample of scientists accused of sexual misconduct at US universities, we find that their prior work is cited less after allegations surface. The effect weakens with distance in the coauthorship network, indicating that researchers learn about allegations through their peers. Among the closest peers, male authors react more strongly, suggesting that they feel a greater need to disassociate themselves from the accused. In male-dominated fields, the effects on citations are more muted. Accused scientists are more likely to leave academic research, to move to non-university institutions, and to publish less.

Suggested Citation

  • Rainer Widmann & Michael E. Rose & Marina Chugunova, 2023. "Allegations of Sexual Misconduct, Accused Scientists, and Their Research," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 419, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    • Handle: RePEc:rco:dpaper:419
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    sexual misconduct; scientific community; scientific impact;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior

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